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Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite
In 1891, the news that Herrmann the Great, a world-famous magician, would be performing in town caused great excitement. Thirteen-year-old Milton Hudson Everett, born into a family of slaves, was among the many black kids who could not wait to leave the cotton fields and witness the magician’s work. However, that night ends very differently as Milton is recruited into Herrmann the Great’s team by the magician himself. Later nicknamed Boomsky, Milton becomes Herrman’s sidekick on stage, and a beloved sensation among audiences across America as he arouses screams of laughter. The role of Boomsky becomes a training ground and launching pad for a series of African American teens. In The Great Boomsky: The Many Lives of Magic’s First Black Superstar, Margaret. B. Steele recounts the untold stories of eight former Boomskys who established brilliant adult careers as magicians, musicians, and comedians, all the while recounting Herrmann the Great’s life as a magician and his influence on the Boomskys’ lives.
Margaret. B. Steele’s The Great Boomsky is a must-read for lovers of non-fiction, history, and enthusiasts of biographies of renowned historical figures. From the first line of the book, I could tell that Margaret is a gifted writer and undoubtedly a one-of-a-kind narrator. Depicting anecdotes and experiences using colorful evocative descriptions, Margaret sent me back in time to the late nineteenth century. The unbiased, playful, yet down-to-earth tone conveyed the unique circumstances of the characters in an uncensored and insightful way. I was given a glimpse into the life of a person of color living in the late 1800s and early 1900s. While some of the details are disheartening, there are still abundant light moments of laughter. I truly appreciated the accuracy and candidness of the narrative. Herrmann the Great was an extraordinary man, full of admirable characteristics. In an era where people of color were oppressed and underpaid, he chose to show kindness and compassion to them and gave them fair treatment. The Great Boomsky is a magnificent piece of work and I loved it. I’m looking forward to reading more of this author's work.
